Finding Aid

Digital Surrogates: Except where indicated, this document describes but does not reproduce the actual text, images and objects which make up this collection. Materials are available only in the Special Collections Department.

Use of Collections: The University of Iowa Libraries supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted by their fragile condition or by contractual agreement with donors, and it may not be possible at all times to provide appropriate machinery for reading, viewing or accessing non-paper-based materials. Please read our Use of Manuscripts Statement.

Acquisition and Processing Information: This collection was given to The University of Iowa Libraries by Cora E. Vawter through Professor H. J. Thornton of The University of Iowa History Department.

Photographs: Box 1

Scope and Contents

The manuscripts of Keith Vawter include correspondence, one folder of photographs, Chautauqua schedules and miscellaneous documents including contracts, Memoranda of Agreement, and invoices. The collection also contains various Chautauqua paraphernalia including employee information, advertisements, program fliers, and lists of talent, entertainment features, and lectures.

Biographical Note

Keith Vawter was born in Indianola, Iowa April 23, 1872. After attending Drake University in Des Moines Iowa, Vawter worked for the family business, Vawter & Sons Booksellers, from 1896-1899. At the same time he aided in obtaining lecture talent for the Des Moines Lyceum. In 1899 Vawter established the Standard Lecture Bureau in Des Moines Iowa. In 1901 Vawter purchased a one-third interest in the Redpath Lyceum Bureau and began working for the Bureau in Chicago in 1903. At the same time Vawter and his partner Roy J. Ellison established the Standard Redpath Chautauqua with the Redpath Lyceum Bureau and a year later Vawter and Ellison organized the first tent or circuit Chautauqua.

A tent Chautauqua was created by grouping a number of towns in the same area together to create a circuit. Vawter then provided a set of entertainment and lectures that would travel from town to town within that circuit. Each town would have the same program. Vawter’s method eliminated open dates, reduced talent cost by using long time contracts, helped lecturers work full time, and reduced the amount and cost of traveling. He also monitored the quality of talent hired, chose the dates and talent that would be available and reduced the cost of advertisements. The first circuit in 1904 consisted of 15 towns in Iowa and Nebraska and by 1907 Vawter had a circuit of 33 towns. Vawter furnished all talent, tents, advertising, and work crews for the towns; local citizens handled the advance sale of tickets.

Vawter introduced the use of tents for performances since some towns didn’t have a Chautauqua building, while other towns had buildings that were too small for the number of people that attended the events. In 1909 Vawter started the seven day Chautauqua and in 1910 he assigned each performer a specific day on the seven day program allowing for talent to perform in one town and immediately move on to the next town. Vawter hired many famous speakers including Warren G. Harding, Senator Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin, Senator Albert B. Cummins of Iowa, and William Jennings Bryan.

Vawter sold his interest in Redpath in 1926 and went into banking during which he served as president of the Center Point Bank in Center Point Iowa and Walker Bank & Trust Co. in Walker Iowa. He was also President of the Board of Trustees of Drake University in 1918-19 and received an honorary L.L.D. from Culver-Stockton College in Canton Missouri in 1931. Vawter died from a stroke in 1937.